"You will be staying here for a week this ti, I have arranged four events for you."
In the Marriott Hotel room, Angel opened the huge garnt box on the bed while explaining the recent event itinerary.
"The remaining three days, you should visit Fael and see his operations. Now his website and newspaper are doing well, though the scale isn't large, they are quite distinctive and have certain influence among the right-wing public…"
After taking out a suit, Angel headed to the bathroom.
Song Heping had just co out when she held the suit up against him to compare.
"It fits well, I still rember your SIZE…"
After saying that, she glanced at Song Heping, who was only wearing shorts and had his bare upper body, her gaze resting on his pectorals and abs.
"They say a disciplined man can be recognized at a glance."
Song Heping took the suit and smiled, "How so?"
Angel replied, "A disciplined man manages his body well, only those who lack self-control end up fat like pigs."
Song Heping patted his abs and said, "I have no choice, if I don't keep in shape, I might lose my life."
Angel sighed, "I think you should set up a company here in the United States."
"Company? Why?"
Song Heping asked while changing.
Angel said, "If you want to partake in the political gas here, you need a legal identity, like I said before, you need to deal with lobbying firms, invest in politicians you're interested in, all requiring a legitimate businessman identity. And establishing a legal company is a start."
Song Heping put on his shirt which fitted perfectly.
While adjusting his clothes in front of the mirror, he said, "It's actually not about seizing greater benefits here…"
Saying this, he turned and started to slide his legs into his pants.
"It's about survival."
"Survival?" Angel walked out of the living room to the minibar, picked up a bottle of wine, took so ice from the fridge, and poured herself a drink.
"Are you involved in so kind of trouble?"
"Not at the mont…" Song Heping was securing his belt in the room, continuing, "But we have an old saying in our country, foresee potential dangers in tis of safety. Just because it's safe now doesn't an it will be in the future, I need ample protection."
After putting on his pants, he walked out to the living room, likewise went to the bar to pour himself a drink, and then returned to sit next to Angel, embracing her waist and said, "Originally I went to Illiguo just to make a living. Back then, my dream was simple: make so money during the turmoil, buy a house for my younger brother, save so dowry for my sister, and keep so money to open a small store and do so business."
"But unexpectedly, an IED explosion by the roadside killed two of my partners, and my partner who was in debt had to leave. I had no way out and had to beco a rcenary. Unexpectedly just like that, I t a chef, joined 'Musician' and this small team, and then by so twist of fate I t you…"
At this point, Song Heping got a bit emotional.
He looked at Angel next to him, gently lifted her golden hair by the ear, and gently hung it behind her ear.
"I must say, you were the start of my good luck, Angel, I am really grateful to you."
Angel just looked at Song Heping, seemingly not responding much, but her eyes brimd with tenderness.
After a long while, she said, "Song, you are different from all the n I have t. There are many outstanding young talents in the elite circles of Arica, but most of them co from wealthy backgrounds, raised in luxury, following paths arranged by their families. But I feel although they are excellent in so aspects, they are rely relying on the shelter of their families. But you, you're from a different world. I admire n who made it on their own, there's a sense of conquest in these n."
Song Heping knew she wasn't lying.
Angel's words were sincere.
She, too, ca from a distinguished background.
Children from such families often find it easier to succeed but equally lack a sense of achievent.
The brilliance of their forebears lets them enjoy the family's legacy while having to live in the shadow of their predecessors' successes, struggling to show their own capabilities.
Thus, while they may not have much interest in the lower classes, they genuinely admire those who climbed out from the bottom to achieve sothing notable.
"Angel, there's a saying in my hotown—those used to lobster and abalone always think sweet potato porridge is the delicacy of a lifeti."
Song Heping said with a bitter smile, "Actually, many people like don't really like their success. What you take for granted and think easily achievable, often takes us a lifeti to obtain. So spend their entire lives chasing Ro, but so are born in Ro."
He sighed and continued, "My defense company has been growing increasingly bigger, involving more operations, and covering broader areas, yet I feel the danger rising. I need to secure an insurance policy for my future, which is why I ca to Washington to see you."
"I can tell," Angel said.
Song Heping sincerely said, "You are under no obligation to help , arrange connections for , especially since it might implicate you in the future. If you choose not to help, I won't be upset, as I must be honest with you."
Suddenly, Angel stood up, went back to the room, fetched Song Heping's coat, and threw it to him.
"Rest assured, you won't cause any trouble."
She paused and then continued, "Hurry up and put on your clothes and co with . There's a forum this afternoon followed by a reception. The forum consists of politicians, scholars, and retired military personnel from various countries, and there might be so intelligence agents as well. It's a good place for you to listen and learn, as defensive forums and international political seminars can be very beneficial for you."
She raised her index finger, pointed at Song Heping, and tapped him saying, "Rember, you're no longer just any defense company owner. You need to reach higher and expand your network."
At two in the afternoon, near Mount Vernon Square in the northeast of the Washington Conference Center, Song Heping, accompanied by Angel, arrived at the entrance of the venue. The security followed the routine, conducting a detailed inspection, especially since the level of security checks nationwide in the United States had heightened to the maximum after the Twin Towers incident.
After showing the invitation letter and identity IDs, the two entered the venue smoothly.
The eting had just comnced, and the hosts and guests were taking their seats.
Angel found a corner, sat down with Song Heping, and whispered, "Today's forum is organized by RAND think tank, and among the sponsors is an established lobbying firm, BGR. At the reception tonight, I can introduce you to their CEO. However, such established lobbying firms may be quite sensitive towards your background, so what matters isn't just this place, but also the people here and a few guests. See that person sitting on the far left? That's the Deputy Director of the Military Committee's Anti-Terrorism Task Force. Despite his not-so-high rank, he holds significant influence over overseas anti-terrorism deploynts…"
Angel started explaining the identities and roles of key figures present to Song Heping, also educating him about traditional Arican political lobbying.
The term 'lobbying' stems from 'lobby,' originally aning a large hall, which later beca a verb aning "to attempt to influence politicians or public officials on a particular issue."
When Old Arica decided to establish its capital in Washington, besides geographical considerations, politicians hoped to keep the political center far from the economic centers to avoid interference from financial syndicates.
Back then, lobbyists representing various regional interests traveled long distances to the capital, staying in hotels and waiting in the lobbies of Congress or governnt departnts to et politicians and officials, advocating their causes, hoping the governnt would adopt their ideas.
As their numbers grew, the lobby beca their "battlefield", hence the activities were terd as such, and the professionals as lobbyists.
In the United States, the registered lobbyists number over ten thousand, with a dian annual inco of 106,057 dollars, performing on both large and small scales.
Dostic lobbying firms are of two types: traditional ones like BGR that primarily target Congress. Regardless of who is in power, Congressional influence over policy is highly effective, making it a sustainable focus.
However, targeting Congress requires more flexible lobbying tactics and strategies, along with a network built over many years, maintaining good relations with legislators from all parties, demanding long-term engagent.
Another type targets officials or directly a particular president. For instance, managers or strategists from a campaign team who helped during the election might start a lobbying firm after their client becos a governor or president, acquiring lobbying funds through their relationship with these high officials, with so even calling such firms spawned by high officials as 'white gloves.'
These firms are typically small and fine-tuned, with a lifespan correlated to their targeted official's term.
The forum discussed the wars in Illiguo and Afghan, with guests deliberating on counter-terrorism and the current situations in Illiguo and Afghan.
Song Heping listened very attentively.
After all, these individuals wield considerable influence in Arican politics, representing real thoughts of so capital or political forces.
The most intense mont ca during the debate over the situation in Afghan, where a British guest and the Congressional overseer of overseas counter-terrorism affairs disagreed vehently.
On the surface, they were discussing, but Song Heping saw clearly that both were blaming each other.
Currently, the commander of the coalition in Afghan is British, while Aricans believe that the deteriorating situation in Afghan and the passive state of the coalition are due to improper British command. Moreover, Aricans making up 70% of the coalition accuse other countries of lacking effort, bringing minimal forces that are not very effective, demanding increased troop deploynt from Britain and other coalition forces.
From their dispute, Song Heping discerned clues; first, that Afghan seriously lacked troops, and second, that Aricans seed determined to continue the war for a not so short duration.
"What's the na of that deputy director?"
"Simmons, Nicholas Simmons."
"What party? Elephant or Donkey?"
"Donkey Party. Just like my aunt."
"He seems like a pro-war advocate."
"Donkey Party tends to be hawkish."
At this, Angel couldn't help but laugh.
"Most Arican wars have been initiated by the Donkey Party, while the Elephant Party has fewer."
Song Heping smiled, "Then I support the Donkey Party."
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